"The most important
period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one,
the period from birth to the age of six." ~
Dr. Maria Montessori

OverviewThe Sundborn
Children's House serves twenty-five 21/2 to 6 year olds in Albany, Oregon. The
program goals are to meet the social, intellectual, physical and emotional
needs of children by offering a child-centered environment in a warm,
loving and secure atmosphere. The program is based on Dr. Montessori's
philosophy and educational methods which foster self-awareness and independence
built through repeated experiences of personal success and self-mastery.The name Sundborn
comes from the name of the village where the Swedish painter, Karl Larsson,
and his wife, Karin, raised their family near the turn of this century.
His love and respect of children were reflected in the cozy house that
he and Karin created.

StaffThe Director of the school, Karen Madsen-Barton has been actively
involved in the Montessori community of the Northwest for 30 years.
She has guided children of these ages in six different classrooms and
directed the non-profit Overlake Montessori School in Bellevue, Washington.
In addition to her B. A. degree from the University of Washington, she
has taken the Association of Montessori Internationale training at the
Montessori Institute Northwest in Portland, Oregon.
Karen and her husband, Keith, are parents
of two grown sons and live with five
goats, two Toulouse geese, two cats and their dog
in north Benton County. The staff includes two
assistants.

Environment:"...education is a natural process spontaneously carried out
by the human individual, and is not acquired by listening to words but
by experiences upon the environment." - M. Montessori
The physical setting at Sundborn Children's House brings the world into
the children's grasp. Using materials and activities designed specifically
for his or her needs, size and development, the child is able to move
about the environment freely to choose his or her own work. The variety
is diverse, attractive and inviting.This
setting together with a trained Guide develops the whole personality
of the child, not merely the intellectual faculties, but also the skills
of deliberation, initiative, and independence and increased awareness
of the child's emotional nature. The School assists the children in
developing a community which is mindful of the group's needs and respectful
to one another.

Sundborn
Children's House offers a place where children can thrive in a carefully
designed, holistic and supportive community.

For Further Information
Please contact the school for additional program information.